NCU clubs will vote on Wednesday night on whether they want to increase the Premier League to 12 teams from 2027.

The motion, which would mean no relegation from the top flight next season and two teams promoted from Section One, has been proposed by the Board and early indications would suggest it will get the required majority at the Annual Meeting in the Stormont Pavilion.

The same proposal also confirms that Section One will consist of eight teams in 2027 with a separate motion advocating a one-up, one-down format for all sections in the Senior League.

Following Carrickfergus’s request not to be promoted to the Premier League, despite winning Section One, there is also a formal motion, proposed by the Domestic Cricket Directorate to give teams who finish in a promotion position not to take up the option “provided the club’s reasons are acceptable to the Directorate”.

Derriaghy have proposed that if both teams agree in advance, Section One games can be reduced from 50 overs to 40 overs and Ards & Donaghadee have a motion on the table which would allow ‘non’residents’ to play in Section Three from next season.

It will be all change at the top of the management board from Wednesday night with a new chairman and president to be elected. Long-time Umpires Appointment Secretary Ian Houston takes over as president with Muckamore stalwart Andy Clement nominated as vice-president and Andrew Cowden will succeed Michael Humphreys as chairman with Alan Waite the new vice-chairman.